The Japanese do not want an extra 10 days holiday that comes with the imperial reserve

As incredible as it may seem, 45% of Japanese people say "dissatisfaction" with which the traditional "week of gold", a series of holidays, is expanding this year from April 27th to May 6th included. Only 35% are "satisfied," according to a survey by the newspaper Asahi.

"I admit that with 10 consecutive days of vacation I do not know what to do", says Seishu Sato, 31, who works in finance in Tokyo. I could travel, but there will be people everywhere and it will be expensive. I will probably end up at my parents' house. "

The Japaneses They do not have the habit of taking vacations. According to the Ministry of Labor, last year, employees on average granted only 18 days.

Those who will have to work also worry. "For parents in the service sector, it's a headache. Daycare, everything will be closed", regrets a man from the social network Twitter.

Banks will also close. Customers are encouraged to make enough money for fear that ATM bookings will be exhausted.

Most companies will remain open to the contrary, good news for the Third World economy, although a limited impact is expected.

Tour operators rub their hands. "Last year, most of our offers had a buyer," says Hideki Wakamatsu, spokesman for travel agency Nippon, who claims to have many customers on the waiting list.

"Respect"

Without these extra holidays, the Japanese would peacefully receive the abdication of the emperor and the beginning of a new era called "Reiwa" (beautiful harmony).

According to a study by the NHK public television channel, 22% of respondents express their indifference and almost no hostility.

"His way of approaching, for 30 years, the elderly, disabled, isolated, victims of natural disasters, that is to say those abandoned by politicians, has evoked empathy, respect", explains Takeshi Hara, professor of political science at the Open University of Japan (OUJ).

The fact that Emperor Akihito married Michiko, the first marriage for love of imperial history, "It reinforced his contemporary image," he added.

His popularity also lies in his "awareness of the responsibility of the post-war generation" for the atrocities committed by Japan, adds Hideto Tsuboi, of the Kyoto-based Center for International Research in Japanese Studies.

Unlike many constitutional monarchies, in Japan it is not allowed to speak evil of the emperor, a phenomenon called "chrysanthemum taboo", as the Japanese monarchy calls it.

Imperial rites

Although the tabloid press dares to delve into the privacy of the imperial family, "there is pressure not to publicly criticize the imperial institution," said Hara, for fear of fanatical reprisals. far right.

In 1961, an extremist entered the home of a publisher who published a novel deemed too critical and too stabbed her housekeeper.

In 1990, the mayor of Nagasaki was shot by bullet after considering that Emperor Hirohito, father of Akihito, was partly responsible for World War II.

The only somewhat controversial element is the financing with public funds purely religious rites planned for the enthronement of Naruhito, such as the Daijosai, scheduled for November.

More than 200 Japanese, including Christian and Buddhist monks, have filed lawsuits against the government on the grounds that they might violate the principle of separation between religion and the state. They received the unexpected support of Prince Akishino, the youngest son of Emperor Akihito, who will become Crown Prince in May.

"I wonder if he is just funding something so religious with public funds," he said late 2018, adding that he had informed the leader of the 39, agency of the imperial house. "He did not listen," he said.